Hungarian Parliament Building

Budapest, Hungary

The Hungarian Parliament Building is the seat of the National Assembly of Hungary, one of Europe's oldest legislative buildings, a notable landmark of Hungary and a popular tourist destination of Budapest. It is currently the largest building in Hungary and still the highest building in Budapest.

Budapest was united from three cities in 1873 and seven years later the Diet resolved to establish a new, representative Parliament Building, expressing the sovereignty of the nation. An international competition was held, and Imre Steindl emerged as the victor; the plans of two other competitors were later also realized in the form of the Ethnographic Museum and the Hungarian Ministry of Agriculture, both of which face the Parliament Building. Construction from the winning plan was started in 1885 and the building was inaugurated on the 1000th anniversary of the country in 1896, and completed in 1904.

About one thousand people were involved in construction, during which 40 million bricks, half a million precious stones and 40 kilograms of gold were used. Since World War II the legislature became unicameral and today the government uses only a small portion of the building. During the communist regime a red star perched on the top of the dome, but was removed in 1990. Mátyás Szűrös declared the Hungarian Republic from the balcony facing Kossuth Lajos Square on 23 October 1989.

The façade displays statues of Hungarian rulers, Transylvanian leaders and famous military figures. The coats of arms of kings and dukes are depicted over the windows. The east stairs is flanked by two lions.

When entering the Parliament, visitors can walk up great ornamental stairs, see frescoes on the ceiling and pass by the bust of the creator, Imre Steindl, in a wall niche. Other statues include those of Árpád, Stephen I and John Hunyadi.

One of the famous parts of the building is the hexadecagonal (sixteen-sided) central hall, with huge chambers adjoining it: the Lower House and the Upper House. The modern National Assembly is unicameral and meets in the Lower House, while the Upper House is used as a conference and meeting room. The Holy Crown of Hungary, which is also depicted in the coat of arms of Hungary, has been displayed in the central hall since 2000.

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Founded: 1885-1904
Category: Palaces, manors and town halls in Hungary

Rating

4.8/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Vaibhav Rane (17 months ago)
Architectural Masterpiece ?? Best thing I have seen in the Budapest. It looks even better during night; lit up ? I'd recommend to take cruise ? ride late evening - you will see best view of Parliament building. Whole Budapest I am in love with ?
Aravind Reddy (17 months ago)
The Budapest Parliament Building is an absolute must-see! The Gothic Revival architecture is breathtaking, both inside and out. The historical significance, riverfront location, and accessible facilities make it a top attraction. Don't miss this awe-inspiring landmark when in Budapest!
Michael Skurka (17 months ago)
Hungarian Parliament Building certainly is one of the most interesting historical monuments in Budapest. The building is magnificent. Just keep in mind that you can reach only the rest of the building. This is not normally publicly available. You can walk there on the riverside of Pest but the best views seems to be from further distance such as from Fisherman's Bastion or Gillért Hill if opened.
Nikos Gkekas (17 months ago)
The seat of the Hungarian Parliament is a massive Neo-Gothic edifice resting on the eastern bank of the river Danube. This stately piece of architecture is by far the most recognizable landmark of Budapest, being the largest building in Hungary and one of the oldest of its kind in Europe. Symbolizing the country’s newly-found political unity, it was built in 1896, just in time for the celebration of Hungary's millennial anniversary. The construction involved around 100,000 people and took 40 million bricks, 40 kilos of gold, and half a million precious stones and jewels used for decoration. The enormous structure contains about 700 rooms and a staggering 19 km of stairs and corridors, with overall 242 sculptures, both inside and outside, and 27 entrance gates. A 45min tour is available to various languages but need booking. Try to reserve a slot ASAP, via the site to avoid disappointment.
Sapan Avarani (18 months ago)
One of the most beautiful buildings I’ve ever seen. It is the third biggest Parliament house in the world and one of the most beautiful parliaments according to me. Once you go inside there are some guided tours (approximately 45 minutes) that can provide you with useful information about the parliament and history. They are offered in many languages including English, German, Spanish, Italian, etc. It's good value for money at around 10 Euro. Certainly it looks much better from outside it's massive and very photogenic. The area around it is very well designed & landscaped. It’s very symmetrical and gigantic. You can not miss the sight from almost anywhere around the Danube from many kilometers. The inside view of this beautiful monstrous building is equally incredible. If you are in Budapest a visit is really a must. The night view from a far distance looks like a royal gigantic palace with a beautiful reflection in the pristine waters of Danube.
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